Ex-judge ordered arrested for pocketing bail bonds

MANILA, Philippines - A former judge and a clerk of court have been ordered arrested by the Sandiganbayan for allegedly pocketing bail bonds amounting to P1 million.

Ordered arrested were Judge Agustin Sardido of Koronadal City municipal trial court in cities and Normandie Ines Sr.

In an order dated Jan. 5, the anti-graft court said there was probable cause to charge Sardido and Ines with malversation and violation of the anti-graft law.

The resolution was signed by Justices Roland Jurado, and Associate Justices Oscar Herrera Jr. and Ma. Theresa Dolores Gomez-Estoesta.

The charges stemmed from a complaint filed by former Supreme Court administrator Jose Midas Marquez and the Office of the Ombudsman, who accused Sardido and Ines of pocketing P955,026 in bail bonds from 1993 to 2001.

The ombudsman said Sardido and Ines did not issue receipts for several bail bonds paid by litigants nor deposit the money in a bank. 

The anti-graft agency alleged that Sardido pocketed P582,500 while Ines P372,526.